A blog by Dr Lin Day

About Lin

Dr Lin Day

Founder of multi-award award winning Baby Sensory, Dr Lin Day (PhD, M.Phil, PGCE, BSc, Dip Ed, SRN), is one of the UK’s leading parenting experts and a renowned author within the field of childcare and education. Lin has over 35 years of practical experience working with parents and children. Away from work, something that happens not enough if you ask husband and lifelong colleague Howard, she is a doting grandmother, obsessed with her terrier Bow, and currently enjoying a new chapter in life of setting up a second home in Northern France.

·Stay in the shadeespecially between 11 am and 3 pm, when UV radiation is at its strongest.

·A sun tent can provide shade, but make sure that it doesn’t get too hot inside.

·Mist yourself or your child with cold water or spray from a garden hose.

·Sit in a cold, shaded paddling pool or refresh your feet in a bowl of cold water. Make sure your child is closely supervised at all times.

·Attach a sunshade to the pushchair to protect your child from the sun. Check that there are no metal parts on the pushchair that can get hot and cause burns.

·A lamb’s wool fleece is an ideal way to keep your child cool in the pushchair when you’re out and about (although you may get a few strange glances). The fleece absorbs moisture and helps to disperse heat.

·When travelling, place a portable blackout blind or sunscreen in the side window to reduce temperature and glare, and to help shield your child’s skin and eyes from the sun.

·Consider travelling at night when the temperature is cooler.

Stay hydrated

·Drink more water than usual so that you never become thirsty. A glass of water every 30 minutes or so will prevent dehydration.

·Avoid salty foods, which retain water and increase blood pressure.

·Drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages (mums and dads!).

·Eat ice cubes and keep trays stocked up in the freezer.

·Avoid drinks with large amounts of caffeine such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and energy drinks.